Optimizing blast furnace slag cements

ABSTRACT

A method and composition for cementing a well by combining water, blast furnace slag and sodium tripolyphosphate to form a cement slurry, displacing the cement slurry into a well and allowing the cement slurry to set.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the optimization of methods and formulations for zonal isolation for vertical, deviated, and horizontal oil and gas wells using blast furnace slag cement.

2. Description of Prior Art

The general procedure of drilling an oil or gas well includes drilling a borehole using a drilling fluid. Subsequent to drilling the borehole, casing is run into the well and a cement slurry is placed in the annulus between the outside of the casing and the borehole wall. Typically, the cement slurry is placed in the annulus using a successive fluid displacement technique. In this technique, the cement is first pumped into the casing. Another fluid, often drilling fluid or water, is pumped behind the cement to space it out the bottom of the casing and up into the annulus between the casing and the borehole wall. The cement slurry is usually raised to a point above the uppermost section of the formations to be isolated and may be raised into the annulus between the casing string being cemented and a previously cemented casing.

Once placed, the purpose of the cement slurry is to harden in the annulus and provide an effective seal between the casing and the borehole. The hardened cement sheath prevents or inhibits communication of fluids between the various formations penetrated by the wellbore. Conditions providing zonal isolation of the cement is in contact with the casing and provides mechanical support and resistance to axial movement through the shear bond developed between the interfaces of cement and pipe and cement and formation.

Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,679 dealt with an improvement in the bonding of the cement to the casing and borehole surfaces. This improvement was realized through the use of a cement comprising drilling fluid and blast furnace slag. This has proven to be an effective cementing technique and is rapidly gaining commercial acceptance. However, the formulation and design methodology for blast furnace slag cement and drilling fluid-blast furnace slag cements are presently not well defined. Requirements for slurry and hardened material properties are generally the same as Portland cement for a specific set of well conditions. The most effective way to formulate blast furnace slag cements or drilling fluid-blast furnace slag slurries and to obtain the desired properties is not completely understood by the art. Accordingly, the present invention is directed toward overcoming these and other problems in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a primary purpose of the present invention to provide compositions and methods for optimizing the use of blast furnace slag cement and drilling fluid-blast furnace slag cements for cementing oil and gas wells.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a composition and method for cementing a well by combining constituents comprising water and blast furnace slag having a particle size within the range of 2,000 cm² /g to 15,000 cm² /g, and an activator comprising sodium tripolyphosphate to form a cement slurry; displacing the cement slurry into the well; and allowing the cement slurry to set.

Other purposes, distinctions over the art, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon review of the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the total impact of activator on set time of slag formulations, rate of early compressive strength development immediately after set time, and final or total compressive strength of the formulations.

FIG. 2 shows sodium carbonate as the preferred carbonate when the basic formulation is blast furnace slag plus 50% distilled water by weight of slag.

FIGS. 3-5 show the effects of the ratios of different components in the total activator on compressive strength, early compressive strength development rate and set time.

FIG. 6 shows data suggesting that sodium hydroxide has greater impact on set time of the formulation while sodium carbonate has greater impact on the compressive strength of the formulation.

FIG. 7 shows ratios of components controlling set time, compressive strength and early compressive strength development rate.

FIG. 8 shows similarity of benefits from sodium oxalate and sodium citrate.

FIGS. 9-10 are comparisons of the combination of citrate with phosphate and citrate, phosphate and sodium hydroxide.

FIGS. 11-12 show the effect of component ratios when other activators were used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following preferred embodiments of the invention, together with the following Examples, explain the principles of the invention.

The present invention provides unique methods and formulations which are devised to provide optimum zonal isolation for vertical, deviated, and horizontal wells. The invention centers around the optimized solidification of oil or water-based muds in combination with blast furnace slag to compressive strengths well in excess of that required for casing support, zonal isolation, and borehole stability.

Water-based drilling fluids typically include water and several other additives such as viscosifiers, thinners, dissolved salts, solids from the drilled formations, solid weighting agents to increase the fluid density, formation stabilizers to inhibit deleterious interaction between the drilling fluid and geologic formations, and additives to improve the lubricity of the drilling fluid. The term "water-based" means that water is the continuous phase of the drilling fluid. The water for water-based drilling fluids can be fresh water, brackish water, brine, seawater or other water containing fluids.

Oil-based drilling fluids typically include oil, water, organophilic clay, primary and secondary emulsifiers and wetting agents. Oil may be diesel, mineral oil, vegetable oil, fish oil, synthetic oils (polyalphaolefins), and esters thereof.

Many different additives and dispersants have been utilized that provide the desired properties in drilling fluids. Exemplary of those additives are barium sulfate (barite), bentonite, low and medium yield clays, salt water clay, iron oxide, calcium carbonate, starch, carboxymethylcellulose, acrylonitrile, natural gum, molecularly dehydrated phosphate, tannin compounds, quebracho, mined lignins, lignosulfonate, mica, sugar cane fibers, and granular materials. Bentonite is an especially common additive which gives the drilling fluid a thixotropic or a gel structure. Bentonite is also a common additive which is added to the drilling fluids to control fluid loss; phosphate and lignosulfonate additives which deflocculate colloidal solids and thin the drilling fluids are also common.

Solidification of drilling fluid is accomplished by the addition of blast furnace slag along with additives for the control of setting time and rheological properties of the slag-treated fluid. The term "blast furnace slag" refers to the refuse from the melting of metals or reduction of ores in a furnace. Most notably, blast furnace slag is a by-product of the manufacture of steel in a blast furnace. In steel making, the blast furnace slag is discharged from the service as a molten stream at a temperature typically between 1400° C. and 1600° C. Rapid quenching of the slag results in its conversion into a material which has hydraulic properties. The rapid quenching of the slag converts it into a glassy state and it is generally recognized that the hydraulic quality of the slag depends upon the effectiveness of the process used to rapidly cool the slag and freeze it into the granulated, glassy state. The preferred blast furnace slag of the invention is a high glass content slag produced by quickly quenching the molten slag through intimate contact with large volumes of cool water. Slags produced by air quenching may be used in the invention provided they are determined to have cementitious properties. However, these are less desirable. The finest of the slag particles should be between about 2,000 cm² /g and 15,000 cm² /g, more preferably between 3,000 cm² /g and 9,000 cm² /g, most preferably between 4,000 cm² /g and 6,500 cm² /g. A commercially available blast furnace slag which fulfills the requirements of the invention is marketed under the trade name "NEWCEM" by the Blue Circle Atlantic Company. This slag is obtained from the Bethlehem Steel Corporation blast furnace at Sparrow's Point, Md.

Rheological properties of the slag treated drilling fluid can be modified through the use of many conventional chemical dispersants for water-based or oil-based drilling fluids. Examples of such compounds include lignosulfonates, naphthalene sulfonates, phenol sulfonates, phosphates, phosphonates, sulfonated styrene maleic anhydride, sulfonated toluene maleic anhydride, sulfonated styrene maleimide, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, blends of polyacrylates and polymethacrylates, acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymers, or blends of any of these classes of materials provided they are chemically compatible to allow their mixing while retaining the ability to disperse particles in the drilling fluid.

SELECTING GENERAL TYPES OF ACTIVATORS

Blast furnace slag is a latent hydraulic material. It must be activated to set in order to form a useful cement. Activation can be either thermal energy (heat) or chemical energy (chemical activation). If there is sufficient thermal energy (high temperature) no chemical activators may be required. However, at low temperatures, chemical activators are almost certainly required to optimize set time and compressive strength. In most cases, it is common and often desirable to use a combination of thermal and chemical activation to optimize the properties of the slag-containing cementitious mixture.

Alkali or bases, compounds which increase the pH of the liquid portion of a blast furnace slag/drilling fluid mixture or blast furnace slag cement slurry, are used as chemical activators. However, since thermal energy contributes to the total activation energy, the type of chemical activators and their amount can vary. Strong alkali are required at low temperatures where weak alkali can be used when the temperature is higher.

Components of the activator can be a mixture of alkali or alkali in combination of chelating, complexing or sequestering agents. It is desirable in cases where temperatures are low to use strong alkali-containing hydroxyl groups such as alkali earth metal hydroxides. These oxides include lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, as examples. The more soluble alkali earth metal hydroxides are, in general, better activators at low temperature. It is believed that their higher solubility in water at low temperatures is the primary reason they are better low temperature activators. The most commonly applied alkali earth metal hydroxides at low temperature are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide and barium hydroxide. These alkali earth metal hydroxides have a greater effect on the set time of the slag-containing cementitious mixture. Concentrations range between 0.01 to 20% wt of slag, more preferably 0.1 to 16% wt of slag, even more preferably between 0.25 to 14% wt of slag, and most preferably 0.5 to 10% wt of slag.

It is also common to use a weaker alkali as part of the activator component, in particular, weaker alkali containing a carbonate or phosphate group. The carbonate ion in particular has a beneficial effect on the compressive strength development and overall compressive strength of the slag-containing mixture. Few anion species can replace carbonate as a part of the activator which significantly affects compressive strength. Alkali earth metal carbonates which are most commonly applied as a component in the total activator include lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, barium carbonate, sodium potassium carbonate, etc., as examples. Again, as with the alkali-containing hydroxyl groups, greater solubility provides greater effects. The most commonly applied carbonate-containing compounds used include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and sodium potassium carbonate. Typical concentrations are 0.25 to 25% wt of slag, more preferably 0.5 to 20% wt of slag, even more preferably 1.0 to 15% wt of slag, and most preferably 2 to 12% wt of slag.

The phosphate anion is an anionic chemical species which can contribute to compressive strength like the carbonate ion. However, the phosphate ion-containing compounds tend to retard the slag hydration much more than the carbonate. Basic phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, tetrasodium polyphosphate, etc., have application in formulations to control set time and contribute to compressive strength development. Of these, sodium tripolyphosphate has shown the greatest potential. Typical concentrations are 0.001 to 15% wt of slag, more preferably 0.01 to 10% wt of slag, even more preferably 0.1 to 8% wt of slag, and most preferably 0.25 to 6% wt of slag.

The citrate ion also can contribute to compressive strength. Alkali earth metal salts of citric acid such as sodium citrate, calcium citrate, potassium citrate, etc., are examples. Of these, sodium or potassium citrate are most preferred.

Compounds containing phosphate and citrate have an advantage over carbonate or hydroxyl-containing compounds in rheological properties of the slurry. Phosphate or citrate-containing compounds are effective dispersants for slag and clays in drilling fluid formulations. Thus, less dilution may be required for drilling fluid-blast furnace slurries or better rheological properties may be obtained.

Other components of the activator include a chelating, complexing or sequestering agent. These types of compounds include the phosphate and citrate ion-containing compound previously described. Other compounds such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and its salts, phosphonic acids and their salts, glutamic acid and its salts, gluconic acid and its salts, some amines, phosphinic acids and their salts, aminophosphinic acids and their salts, lactic acid and its salts, aspartic acid and its salts, tartaric acid and its salts, etc. It is most desirable to use salts since the acid forms counteract the alkali added for chemical activation. Highly soluble salts are preferred. Sodium and potassium salts are usually quite soluble. Many other types of chelating, complexing or sequestering agents are known and many are listed in the book Organic Sequestering Agents by Stanley Chaberek and Arthur E. Martell, published by John Wiley & Sons, New York. Concentrations typically range between 0.001 to 10% wt of slag, more preferably 0.01 to 8% wt of slag and most preferably 0.05 to 5% wt of slag.

Chemical compounds which are chelating, complexing, or sequestering agents for alkali earth metals and transition metals through iron in the Periodic Table of Elements have been found most suitable as components in the chemical activator mixture. Concentrations typically range between 0.001 to 10% wt of slag, more preferably 0.01 to 8% wt of slag and most preferably 0.05 to 5% wt of slag. Chelating, complexing or sequestering compounds with log (base 10) values for the equilibrium stability constants for complexed calcium between 2 and 5 have been most effective in improving strength and dispersing the slag with lowest effect on set time. A broad range for these log values is 0.5 to 11. The lower values tend to be stronger retarders while the higher values (above about 6) have less retarding effect but do not show an improvement in compressive strength development. In general, small amounts of these materials are used. Concentrations typically range from 0.001 to 8% wt of slag, preferably 0.01 to 6% wt of slag, and most preferably 0.05 to 5% wt of slag.

SELECTING TOTAL ACTIVATOR CONCENTRATION

There is an optimum amount of activator which provides the maximum compressive strength for a given concentration of slag. The optimum total activator concentration is based upon the weight of slag used in the formulation. Therefore, the optimum weight ratio of total activator to slag is selected. This weight ratio varies with temperature because thermal energy (heat or temperature which is a measure of heat) is an activator for slag. The optimum weight ratio of total activator to slag decreases with temperature. For example, the optimum ratio is about 6 percent or 0.06 percent (activator weight/slag weight) at 125° F. The optimum may be about 8 percent (0.08) at 100° F., 12 percent (0.12) at 80° F., 2.5 percent (0.025) at 175° F. These optimum ratios also may vary with the compounds used as the activators. The ratios cited above are exemplary of mixtures of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate. Ranges for total activator concentrations are: 0.01 to 20% wt of slag, preferably 0.1 to 18% wt of slag, even more preferably 0.25 to 14% wt of slag, and most preferably 0.5 to 10% wt of slag.

SELECTING THE RATIO OF COMPONENTS IN THE TOTAL ACTIVATOR

Within the total activator concentration, there is a ratio of the individual components which provide optimum set time or optimum compressive strength or optimum early compressive strength development rate or optimum rheological properties for the cementing operation. There is also a combination of activators which will produce optimum properties for all these variables for a specific cementing operation.

The total activator concentration may be made up of different concentrations of different chemical components.

SELECTING THE RETARDER

Once the total amount of activator and ratio of activator components has been selected which will optimize compressive strength and compressive strength development, a retarder is usually required to provide adequate fluidity time (sufficiently long set time) in order to place the cement in the well. Retarders are often added in a concentration of 0.001% to 12% by weight of slag, preferably 0.01 to 8%, and more preferably 0.05% to 5% wt of slag.

Retarders are of two types: complexing agents and salts of transition metals with atomic numbers above iron or nickel in the periodic chart. In particular, copper, zinc and aluminum salts can be effective retarders for slag hydration.

Complexing agents such as lignosulfonates and sulfonated lignins, and sulfonated Kraft lignins, lignin amines, etc., can be effective retarders. These are common retarders for Portland cements.

The most desirable retarders are low molecular weight complexing agents because they also contribute to improved compressive strength and early compressive strength development rate. Sodium glucoheptonate, sodium gluconate, sodium citrate, etc. can improve strength in combination with the activators in the formulation.

There is a ratio of activator to retarder which provides the greatest early compressive strength development and final strength for a given slag concentration. This ratio depends upon the strength of the retarders and activators used. In general, a combination of activators and retarders which will produce a set time less than about 10 hours, more preferably less than about 8 hours, and most preferably between 3 and 6 hours at the static temperature of the well will provide a high rate of early compressive strength development after setting and high final strength for the selected slag concentration.

DISPERSION

Given two formulations with optimized ratios of slag and activators, activator components and activator-retarder ratio, the formulation which is more dispersed will generally have better compressive strength development after setting. Many of the complexing, sequestering or chelating agents mentioned earlier in this text are good dispersants for slag and drilling fluids containing clays.

CONTROL OF SULFIDE ODORS

Blast furnace slags contain some sulfur as residue from the iron or steel making process. This sulfur may be in forms which can produce sulfide species. Hydrogen sulfide may form although this is not expected at the alkaline pH of most activated slag cements.

However, sulfide scavenging compounds may be included as part of the activator or retarder on the slag-containing cementitious material. Additives such as zinc oxide, zinc carbonate are known scavengers for sulfide. Inclusion of one or more of these scavengers may prevent formation of hydrogen sulfide if a set slag-containing cement is drilled out or otherwise comes into contact with a low pH fluid which would favor formation of hydrogen sulfide.

EXAMPLES

The data presented in FIG. 1 is based on the following: Test Temperature: 125° F. (52° C.); Base Formulation: "NEWCEM" blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)-(a) total activator concentration is percent by weight of slag; (b) the weight ratio of sodium hydroxide to sodium carbonate is 1:3 for all total activator concentrations; hence, 1% total activator=0.25% sodium hydroxide+0.75% sodium carbonate (by wt of slag); 2% total activator=0.5% sodium hydroxide+1.5% sodium carbonate (by wt of slag); 4% total activator=1% sodium hydroxide+3% sodium carbonate (by wt of slag).

FIG. 1 shows the impact of total activator on the:

a) set time of slag formulations,

b) rate of early compressive strength development immediately after set time, and

c) final or total compressive strength of the formulations.

A decrease in set time is seen along the X-axis as the lines showing compressive strength begin to move upward off of the O compressive strength line which is represented as the horizontal line of the X-axis. No activator produced a set time of about 2.5 hours. Increasing the activator concentration to 4% or 6% by weight of slag reduced the set time to less than 1 hour.

The rate of early compressive strength development is directly impacted by the activator concentration. The slope of the line from the set time until the strength reaches a plateau, wherein the rate of strength change with time has decreased to a near steady-state rate, is affected by the activator concentration. The slope is gradual without activator and becomes near vertical at 4% to 6% total activator at this temperature. It is desirable to have rapid early compressive strength development in many cementing operations. Slopes as compared in Table 1 labeled Example A-2.

The final compressive strength of each formulation increases with the total activator concentration. It is important to remember that the only thing changed is the total activator concentration. The amount of slag in each formulation is constant.

Also, there is an upper limit to the total activator concentration. This limit is the dilution effect limit and solubility limit of the activators.

Base Formulation: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag+50% Distilled Water (by weight of slag) Test temperature: 125° F. (52° C.)

a) Total Activator concentration is percent by weight of Slag.

b) The weight ratio of sodium hydroxide to sodium carbonate is 1:3 for all total activator concentrations, hence:

1% total activator=0.25% sodium hydroxide+0.75% sodium carbonate (by weight of slag)

2% total activator=0.5% sodium hydroxide+1.5% sodium carbonate (by weight of slag)

4% total activator=1% sodium hydroxide+3% sodium carbonate (by weight of slag).

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Set Time and Compressive Strength Data                                                                Equation for                                                                              Compressive                                          Total                                                                               Text      Line Between                                                                              Strength                                                                              Final                                 Additives and                                                                          Activator                                                                           Duration                                                                            Set Time                                                                            50 psi and 500 psi                                                                        14 hrs after                                                                          Strength                              Concentration                                                                          % bwos                                                                              Hours                                                                               Hours                                                                               Slope                                                                               Intercept                                                                            Set Time                                                                              psi                                   __________________________________________________________________________     None    0    18   2.72  78.44                                                                              -128.72                                                                               723    740                                  None    1    18   1.68 507.51                                                                              -844.57                                                                              1039   1068                                  None    2    18   1.4  741.96                                                                              -1046.07                                                                             1611   1677                                  None    4    18   0.6  1024.55                                                                             -647.00                                                                              2836   2966                                  None    6    18   0.5  794.33                                                                              -417.14                                                                              3824   3924                                  __________________________________________________________________________      Base Formulation: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag + 50% Distilled Water (by w      of slag)                                                                       Test Temperature: 125° F. (52° C.)                         

FIG. 2 shows sodium carbonate as the preferred carbonate. The basic formulation is: "NEWCEM" blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by weight of slag)+4% total activator (by weight of slag). Test temperature: 125° F. (52° C).

FIGS. 3-6 and Tables 2 and 3 show the effects of the ratios of different components in the total activator on:

1) 24 hour compressive strength (FIG. 3)

2) early compressive strength development rate (FIG. 4)

3) set time (FIG. 5)

Each formulation contained 4% total activator. This total activator could be composed entirely of sodium hydroxide or entirely sodium carbonate or any weight ratio in between of these two components. The X-axis of these plots shows the amount of sodium carbonate present in the total activator. Hence, at 0 on the X-axis there is no sodium carbonate in the total activator; the total activator is 4% sodium hydroxide. At 4 on the X-axis only sodium carbonate is used as the total component of the activator; no sodium hydroxide is present in the total activator. At 2 on the X-axis, the total activator concentration of 4% (by weight of slag) is made up of 2% sodium hydroxide and 2% sodium carbonate.

The data in FIG. 3 is based on the following: Base Formulation: "NEWCEM" blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)+4% total activator (by wt of slag).

This data (FIG. 3) shows that higher compressive strengths are obtained (slag concentration is constant for all tests) when the sodium carbonate concentration is slightly in excess of the sodium hydroxide concentration in the total amount of activator.

A small amount of sodium carbonate (FIG. 4) in the total activator concentration is beneficial for improving the early compressive strength development rate.

A small amount of sodium hydroxide (FIG. 5) in the total activator concentration is beneficial for reducing the set time of the slag cement mixture.

This data suggests that sodium hydroxide has greater impact on the set time of the formulation while sodium carbonate has greater impact on the compressive strength of the formulation. This is more clear in FIG. 6.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Effects of Ratios of Different Components in Total Activator                   on Compressive Strength Development Rate and Set Time                                      Weight                                                                               Molar         Elapsed                                                    Ratio of                                                                             Ratio of      Time in                                                    Sodium                                                                               Sodium                                                                               Elapsed Time                                                                           Minutes                                        Sodium                                                                               Sodium                                                                               Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                            in Minutes.sup.1                                                                       Between                                                                              Compressive Strength, psi, after                                               indicated                                Hydroxide                                                                            Carbonate                                                                            to Sodium                                                                            to Sodium                                                                            to Reach                                                                               50 psi and                                                                           elapsed time                             % bwos*                                                                              % bwos*                                                                              Carbonate                                                                            Carbonate                                                                            50 psi                                                                             500 psi                                                                            500 psi.sup.2                                                                        2 hrs                                                                              4 hrs                                                                              8 hrs                                                                              12 hrs                                                                             24                       __________________________________________________________________________                                                           hrs                      4     0       4 to 0    13  118 105.sup. 5                                                                            516                                                                                907                                                                               1272                                                                               1379                                                                               1536                     3.27  0.73  4.5 to 1                                                                             11.87 to 1                                                                           17  52  35     885                                                                               1068                                                                               1236                                                                               1339                                                                               1529                     3.2   0.8     4 to 1                                                                             10.6 to 1                                                                            19  51  32     882                                                                               1038                                                                               1204                                                                               1306                                                                               1514                     3.12  0.88  3.5 to 1                                                                              9.4 to 1                                                                            17  52  35      856                                                                               994                                                                               1136                                                                               1247                                                                               1445                     3     1       3 to 1                                                                             7.95 to 1                                                                            17  48  32     823                                                                                919                                                                               1038                                                                               1126                                                                               1324                     2.85  1.15  2.5 to 1                                                                             6.57 to 1                                                                            18  50  32     961                                                                               1128                                                                               1271                                                                               1376                                                                               1594                     2.66  1.34    2 to 1                                                                             5.26 to 1                                                                            18  49  31     966                                                                               1148                                                                               1310                                                                               1419                                                                               1642                     2.4   1.6   1.5 to 1                                                                             3.97 to 1                                                                            17  46  29     967                                                                               1136                                                                               1298                                                                               1407                                                                               1609                     2     2       1 to 1                                                                             2.65 to 1                                                                            16  42  26    1082                                                                               1269                                                                               1469                                                                               1592                                                                               1820                     2     2       1 to 1    15  36  21     997                                                                               1138                                                                               1315                                                                               1424                                                                               1626                     1.6   2.4   0.67 to 1                                                                            1.77 to 1                                                                            20  49  29    .sup. 1374.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 1657.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 1921.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 2084.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 2356.sup.4         1.34  2.66  0.5 to 1                                                                             1.33 to 1                                                                            25  56  31    1645                                                                               2011                                                                               2366                                                                               2534                                                                               2830                     1.15  2.85  0.4 to 1                                                                             1.07 to 1                                                                            37  75  38    1341                                                                               1792                                                                               2132                                                                               2344                                                                               2651                     1     3     .33 to 1                                                                             0.88 to 1                                                                            42  74  32    1466                                                                               1861                                                                               2216                                                                               2438                                                                               2758                     0.88  3.12  .28 to 1                                                                             0.75 to 1                                                                            43  64  21    1534                                                                               1870                                                                               2195                                                                               2381                                                                               2656                     0.8   3.2   .25 to 1                                                                             0.66 to 1                                                                            .sup. 79.sup.3                                                                     102 23    1121                                                                               1806                                                                               2180                                                                               2399                                                                               2752                     0.73  3.27  .22 to 1                                                                             0.59 to 1                                                                            .sup. 83.sup.3                                                                     107 24     995                                                                               1830                                                                               2241                                                                               2465                                                                               2797                     0     4       0 to 4                                                                             0.00  134.sup.3                                                                          170 36     33 1566                                                                               2011                                                                               2237                                                                               2631                     __________________________________________________________________________      *By weight of slag Total Activator concentration was 4% by weight of slag      for all tests.                                                                 Sample Formulation: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag + 50% fresh water (bwos)       4% Total Activator (bwos)                                                      Test Temperature: 125° F.                                               .sup.1 This is set time.                                                       .sup.2 Early compressive strength development rate                             .sup.3 Sodium hydroxide in small quantity helped reduce this set time          .sup.4 Higher strength when carbonate in excess of hydroxide                   .sup.5 Early compressive strength development rate increased due to            carbonate                                                                

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Effects of Ratios of Different Components in Total Activator                   on Compressive Strength                                                                    Weight                                                                               Molar         Elapsed                                                    Ratio of                                                                             Ratio of      Time in                                                    Sodium                                                                               Sodium                                                                               Elapsed Time                                                                           Minutes                                        Sodium                                                                               Sodium                                                                               Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                            in Minutes.sup.1                                                                       Between                                                                              Compressive Strength, psi, after                                               indicated                                Hydroxide                                                                            Carbonate                                                                            to Sodium                                                                            to Sodium                                                                            to Reach                                                                               50 psi and                                                                           elapsed time                             % bwos*                                                                              % bwos*                                                                              Carbonate                                                                            Carbonate                                                                            50 psi                                                                             500 psi                                                                            500 psi.sup.2                                                                        2 hrs                                                                              4 hrs                                                                              8 hrs                                                                              12 hrs                                                                             24                       __________________________________________________________________________                                                           hrs                      4     0       4 to 0    12  51  39     998                                                                               1097                                                                               1190                                                                               1255                                                                               1379                     3.27  0.73  4.5 to 1                                                                             11.87 to 1                                                                           12  30  18    1027                                                                               1178                                                                               1348                                                                               1463                                                                               1699                     3.2     0.8   4 to 1                                                                             10.6 to 1                                                                             9  27  18     991                                                                               1122                                                                               1287                                                                               1397                                                                               1623                     3.12  0.88  3.5 to 1                                                                              9.4 to 1                                                                            10  28  18     846                                                                                955                                                                               1092                                                                               1200                                                                               1389                     3     1       3 to 1                                                                             7.95 to 1                                                                            12  32  20     911                                                                               1027                                                                               1174                                                                               1288                                                                               1511                     2.85  1.15  2.5 to 1                                                                             6.57 to 1                                                                            11  29  18    1049                                                                               1152                                                                               1317                                                                               1427                                                                               1676                     2.66  1.34    2 to 1                                                                             5.26 to 1                                                                            10  25  15    1067                                                                               1173                                                                               1342                                                                               1454                                                                               1733                     2.4   1.6   1.5 to 1                                                                             3.97 to 1                                                                             9  25  16    1042                                                                               1130                                                                               11275                                                                              1382                                                                               1603                     2     2       1 to 1                                                                             2.65 to 1                                                                            10  22  12    1078                                                                               1182                                                                               1331                                                                               1422                                                                               1645                     1.6   2.4   0.67 to 1                                                                            1.77 to 1                                                                            12  25  13    .sup. 1657.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 1870.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 2055.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 2200.sup.4                                                                   .sup. 2455.sup.4         1.34  2.66  0.5 to 1                                                                             1.33 to 1                                                                            16  32  16    1953                                                                               2237                                                                               2495                                                                               2637                                                                               2907                     1.15  2.85  0.4 to 1                                                                             1.07 to 1                                                                            19  34  15    1993                                                                               2280                                                                               2543                                                                               2686                                                                               2920                     1     3     .33 to 1                                                                             0.88 to 1                                                                            21  32  11    1864                                                                               2131                                                                               2343                                                                               2441                                                                               2650                     0.88  3.12  .28 to 1                                                                             0.75 to 1                                                                            21  28   9    1937                                                                               2186                                                                               2405                                                                               2505                                                                               2683                     0.8   3.2   .25 to 1                                                                             0.66 to 1                                                                            .sup. 26.sup.3                                                                     35   9    2065                                                                               2399                                                                               2641                                                                               2792                                                                               2951                     0.73  3.27  .22 to 1                                                                             0.59 to 1                                                                            .sup. 31.sup.3                                                                     40   9    1980                                                                               2298                                                                               2565                                                                               2673                                                                               2907                     0     4       0 to 4                                                                             0.00  .sup. 44.sup.3                                                                     58  14    1593                                                                               1888                                                                               2127                                                                               2274                                                                               2465                     __________________________________________________________________________      *by weight of slag Total Activator concentration was 4% by weight of slag      for all tests.                                                                 Sample Formulation: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag + 50% fresh water (bwos)       4% Total Activator (bwos)                                                      Test Temperature: 175° F.                                         

FIG. 7 and Table 4 show sodium citrate as a viable replacement for sodium hydroxide. Combinations of sodium citrate, sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide can be made with improved properties. The data in FIG. 7 is based on the following: Base Formulation: "NEWCEM" blast furnace slag+50% distilled water (by wt of slag)+4% total activator (by wt of slag).

FIG. 7 shows ratios of components are still important to controlling set time, compressive strength and early compressive strength development rate.

Replacing sodium hydroxide with sodium citrate improved total compressive strength while maintaining a high early compressive strength development rate.

Table 4 shows incorporation of sodium hydroxide to change the set time and early compressive strength development rate.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Incorporation of Sodium Hydroxide to Change                                    Set Time and Early Compressive Strength Development Rate                                        0.5% Sodium                                                                               0.5% Sodium                                                                             1% sodium                                                  Hydroxide  Hydroxide                                                                               Hydroxide                                        1% Sodium 0.5% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium                                        Citrate   Citrate    Citrate  Citrate                                   Time   3% Sodium 3% Sodium  2.5% Sodium                                                                             2% Sodium                                 Hours  Carbonate Carbonate  Carbonate                                                                               Carbonate                                 ______________________________________                                         0        0         0          0        0                                       0.8     18        18         15        90.sup.4                                1.07    18        18         17        263.sup.4                               1.33    16        28          46.sup.3                                                                                502.sup.4                               1.6     18         92.sup.2   206.sup.3                                                                              718                                      2.04     50.sup.1                                                                                 620.sup.2                                                                                791      988                                      2.4      188.sup.1                                                                              1116       1170     1172                                      3.2     934      1584       1621     1466                                      4      1468      1782       1849     1696                                      4.8    1762      1930       2003     1836                                      5.6    1933      2035       2113     1937                                      6.4    2038      2146       2199     2017                                      7.2    2149      2234       2290     2100                                      8      2207      2326       2353     2158                                      12     2526      2628       2660     2372                                      16     2704      2816       2811     2505                                      20     2857      2935       2970     2647                                      24     2978      3059       3054     2721                                      ______________________________________                                          .sup.1,2,3 Show fast early compressive strength development                    .sup.4 Shows slower early compressive strength development.              

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Evaluation of Phosphates to Replace Sodium Hydroxide in Total Activator             1% Sodium                                                                            1% Calcium                                                                            1% Trisodium                                                                           1% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium 1% Tetrasodium                Hydroxide                                                                            Phosphate                                                                             Phosphate                                                                              Pyrophosphate                                                                           Tripolyphosphate                                                                        Hexametaphosphate                                                                        Pyrrophosphate           Time 3% Sodium                                                                            3% Sodium                                                                             3% Sodium                                                                              3% Sodium                                                                               3% Sodium                                                                               3% Sodium 3% Sodium                Hours                                                                               Carbonate.sup.1)                                                                     Carbonate.sup.2)                                                                      Carbonate.sup.3)                                                                       Carbonate.sup.4)                                                                        Carbonate.sup.5)                                                                        Carbonate.sup.7)                                                                         Carbonate.sup.8)         __________________________________________________________________________     0      0     0      0      0        0        0         0                       0.5333333                                                                            13    22     20     22       18       11        18                       1.066667                                                                             355   25     23     20       20       13        16                       1.6  1207   25     23     22       20       15        16                       2.133333                                                                            1488   60     25     22       18       17        16                       2.666667                                                                            1633   440     0     22       16       17        15                       3.2  1721  1024     0     22       18       19        16                       3.733333                                                                            1815  1288     0     22       18       19        15                       4.266667                                                                            1889  1409    25     22       18       21        15                       4.8  1940  1502    531    22       18       21        15                       6.4  2103  1644   1577    26       18       21        16                       8    2219  1754   1906    26       20       23        16                       9.6  2311  1848   2069    26       20       23        16                       11.2 2408  1922   2216    30       20       25        16                       12.8 2474  1999   2341    172      18       25        13                       14.4 2508  2053   2407    786      16       23        11                       16   2578  2107   2544    1373     34       21        58                       17.6 2613  2136   2616    1626     155      31        359                      19.2 2650  2194   2690    1806     506      103       968                      20.8 2686  2222   2690    1955     931      393       1303                     24   2761  2283   2805    2176     1563     1368      1714                     32   2880         3010             2234     2418      2295                     40   2960         3141             .sup.6) 2593                                                                            2849      2593                     48   3044         3233    .sup.1 "Control"                                                                        .sup.2 Lower compres-                                                                   .sup.3 Set time                                                                          .sup.4 Set time                                                                delayed.                                                    sive strength than                                                                      Slightly higher                                                                          Lower comp.                                                 "Control"                                                                               comp. strength                                                                           strength than                                                        than "Control".                                                                          "control" at                                                                   24 hrs.                  56   3088         3325    .sup. 5 Set time delayed.                                                               .sup.6 Strength                                                                         .sup.7 Set time                                                                          .sup.8 Set time                                                                delayed.                                           Lower comp.                                                                             increasing,                                                                             Lower comp.                                                                              Lower comp.                                        strength than                                                                           approaching                                                                             strength than                                                                            strength than                                      "control" at                                                                            "control"                                                                               "control" at                                                                             "control" at                                       24 hrs            24 hrs    24 hrs                   64   3131         3374                                                         __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Evaluation of Phosphates to Replace Sodium Carbonate in Total Activator                                          1% Sodium                                        1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                                                                             1% Sodium                                                                              1% Sodium                                                                               Hydroxide                                                                            1% Sodium   1% Sodium                      Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                             Hydroxide                                                                              Hydroxide                                                                               3% Sodium                                                                            Hydroxide   Hydroxide                  Time                                                                               3% Sodium                                                                            3% Calcium                                                                            3% Trisodium                                                                           3% Sodium                                                                               Tripoly-                                                                             3% Sodium   3% Tetrasodium             Hours                                                                              Carbonate.sup.1)                                                                     Phosphate.sup.2)                                                                      Phosphate.sup.3)                                                                       Pyrrophosphate.sup.4)                                                                   phosphate.sup.5)                                                                     Hexametaphosphate.sup.6)                                                                   Pyrrophosphate.sup.7)      __________________________________________________________________________     0     0    0       0       0        0    0            0                        0.5  13    40      9      19       13   14           17                        1.07                                                                                355  208     11      21       19   12           111                       1.6 1207  330     16      42       24   17           467                       2.13                                                                               1488  407     17      323      30   26           681                       2.67                                                                               1633  463     67      551      38   33           866                       3.2 1721  499     113     751      42   37          1020                       3.73                                                                               1815  538     452     943      46   41          1143                       4.27                                                                               1889  566     921    1097      49   43          1202                       4.8 1940  587    1331    1199      51   45          1265                       6.4 2103  617    1899    1344      263  51          1382                       8   2219  673    2128    1451     1450  53          1473                       9.6 2311  716    2297    1527     1934  55          1530                       11.2                                                                               2408  742    2419    1608     2180  59          1590                       12.8                                                                               2474  780    2516    1650     2362  64          1653                       14.4                                                                               2508  809    2616    1715     2493  117         1696                       16  2578  829    2721    1760     2632  574         1741                       17.6                                                                               2613  849    2794    1806     2705  1303        1763                       19.2                                                                               2650  870    2869    1830     2820  1823        1809                       20.8                                                                               2686  892    2832    1878     2858  2079        1833                       24  2761  925    2947    1928     3021  2375        1906                       32  2880         3152    2059     3239  2792        2008                       40  2960         3239    2170     3378  .sup.6 3076 .sup.                                                                          2116                       48  3044         3375    2258     3526  .sup.1 "Control"                                                                           2173                       56  3088         3420    2319     3626  .sup.2 Lower comp.                                                                         .sup.4 Lower comp.                                                 than "control"                                                                             strength than                                                                  control                    64  3131         3467    2382     3733  .sup.3 Higher comp.                                                                        .sup.5,6,7 Longer set                                                          time,                                                              than control, but                                                                          higher comp.                                                                   strength                                                           set time.   .sup.8 Higher                                                                  strength than                                                                  control @ 40               __________________________________________________________________________                                                         hrs                   

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Combination of Phosphate (Sodium Tripolyphosphate),                            Sodium Carbonate and Sodium Hydroxide to Vary Set Time and Strength            (Total and Early Compressive Strength Development Rate                             0.5% Sodium                                                                             1% Sodium                                                             Tripolyphosphate                                                                        Tripolyphosphate                                                      0.5% Sodium                                                                             1% Sodium                                                                               3% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium                                  Hydroxide                                                                               Hydroxide                                                                               Tripolyphosphate                                                                        Tripolyphosphate                                                                        Hydroxide                              Time                                                                               3% Sodium                                                                               2% Sodium                                                                               1% Sodium                                                                               3% Sodium                                                                               3% Sodium                              Hours                                                                              Carbonate                                                                               Carbonate                                                                               Hydroxide                                                                               Carbonate                                                                               Carbonate                              __________________________________________________________________________     0    0        0        0        0         0                                    0.53                                                                               18       16       13       18        13                                    1.07                                                                               19       20       19       20        355                                   1.6 19       22       24       20       1207                                   2.13                                                                               19       24       30       18       1488                                   2.67                                                                               21       24       38       16       1633                                   3.2 21       26       42       18       1721                                   3.73                                                                               21       26       46       18       1815                                   4.27                                                                               21       28       49       18       1889                                   4.8 21       28       51       18       1940                                   6.4 23       30       263      18       2103                                   8   23       65       1450     20       2219                                   9.6 23       884      1934     20       2311                                   11.2                                                                               23       1465     2180     20       2408                                   12.8                                                                               61       1830     2362     18       2474                                   14.4                                                                               352      2035     2493     16       2508                                   16  875      2204     2632     34       2578                                   24  1984     2701     3021     1563     2761                                   __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Effect of Cation of Sulfate Salts on Set Time and Compressive Strength of      Blast Furnace Slag Cement                                                      Base Formulation: NEWCEM Blast Furnace Slag mixed with 50% Distilled           Water                                                                          (by weight of the slag) plus indicated activator mixtures                      Test Temperature: 125 F. (52 C.)                                               Curing Pressure: 3000 psi                                                      Compressive Strength, psi, of Formulations Containing the Indicated            Activators                                                                     __________________________________________________________________________          1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                                                                              1% Sodium                                                                             1% Sodium                                                                             1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                         Elapsed                                                                             Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                              Hydroxide                                                                             Hydroxide                                                                             Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                         Time 3% Sodium                                                                            3% Sodium                                                                            3% Magnesium                                                                           3% Calcium                                                                            3% Ferrous                                                                            3% Ferric                                                                            3% Cobalt                         Hours                                                                               Carbonate                                                                            Sulfate                                                                              Sulfate Sulfate                                                                               Sulfate                                                                               Sulfate                                                                              Sulfate                           __________________________________________________________________________     0      0    0      0       0      0      0     0                               1.07  281  150    20      34     13     13    30                               2.13 1505  374    28      109    193    11    332                              4.09 1886  576    275     457                                                  8    2216  703    948    1002    742    419   696                              12.1 2438  770   1294    1053                                                  16   2575  821   1506    1093    968   1510   872                              17.6 2610  843   1564    1093    980   1589   894                              19.2 2647  854   1604    1106   1018   1695   928                              20.8 2683  876   1667    1120   1044   1762   952                              22.4 2721  888   1710    1134   1071   1832   976                              24   2758  899   1744    1134   1084   1880   964                              25.6       911   1800           1098   1930  1001                              27.2       935   1823           1127   1981  1026                              28.8       947   1871           1141   2034  1039                              30.4       959   1895           1155   2061  1052                              32         959   1920           1170   2088  1066                              33.6       972   1945           1185   2144  1079                              35.2       984   1971           1200   2172  1092                              36.8       997   1996           1215   2202  1106                              38.4       1010  2022           1231   2202  1106                              40         1010  2022           1247   2230  1120                              41.6       1023  2049           1247   2260  1135                              43.2                            1263   2291  1149                              44.8                            1278   2291  1149                              46.4                            1278   2321  1163                              48                              1295   2352  1178                              56                              1345   2416  1208                              64                              1380   2482  1255                              72                                           1286                              80                                           1319                              88                                           1353                              __________________________________________________________________________                      1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                                                                            1% Sodium                                                                              1% Sodium                                       Elapsed                                                                             Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                            Hydroxide                                                                              Hydroxide                                       Time 3% Nickel                                                                            3% Cupric                                                                            3% Zinc                                                                              3% Aluminum                                                                            3% Ammonium                                     Hours                                                                               Sulfate                                                                              Sulfate                                                                              Sulfate                                                                              Sulfate Sulfate                             __________________________________________________________________________                 0      0   0      0     0        0                                             1.07  121  12     19   17       13                                             2.13  473  10     17   16       13                                             4.09                                                                           8     899  10     17   19       95                                             12.1                                                                           16   1100  9      13   17      1141                                            17.6 1129  9      11   17      1261                                            19.2 1157  9      11   17      1342                                            20.8 1187  8      11   17      1430                                            22.4 1217  8      14   17      1504                                            24   1202  8      20   17      1562                                            25.6 1233  8      29   17      1602                                            27.2 1249  8      40   17      1665                                            28.8 1265  8      54   17      1708                                            30.4 1265  8      67   17      1730                                            32   1280  8      82   17      1775                                            33.6 1297  8      99   17      1821                                            35.2 1313  8     114   17      1845                                            36.8 1330  8     129   17      1869                                            38.4 1347  8     141   17      1893                                            40   1347  8     152   17      1918                                            41.6 1364  8     163   17      1943                                            43.2 1364  8     171   17      1969                                            44.8 1382  8     177   17      1994                                            46.4 1382  9     186   17      1994                                            48   1400  10    189   17      2020                                            56   1435  323   207   17      2101                                            64   1473  1084  217   17      2157                                            72   1511  1541        29                                                      80   1530  1820        16                                                      88   1570  1993        16                                          __________________________________________________________________________      Calcium Sulfate = CaSo.sub.4.2H.sub.2 O                                        Ferrous Sulfate = FeSo4.7H.sub.20 -                                            Ferric Sulfate = Fe.sub.2 (So.sub.4).sub.3.H.sub.2 O                           Cobalt Sulfate = CoSo.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                                         Nickel Sulfate = NiSo.sub.4.6H.sub.2 O                                         Zinc Sulfate = ZnSo.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O                                           Aluminum Sulfate = Al.sub.2 (So.sub.4).sub.3.16H.sub.2 O                 

                                      TABLE 9                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Set Time and Compressive Strength Data                                         Comparisons of Activator:Retarder Ratio with Different Retarder Types and      Strengths                                                                                    Total                                                                               Test       Equation for Line Between                                                                    Compressive Strength                             Activator                                                                           Duration                                                                            Set Time                                                                             50 psi and 500 psi                                                                           14 hours after                                                                            Final Strength          Additives and Concentration                                                                  % bwos                                                                              hours                                                                               hours Slope Intercept                                                                              Set Time   psi                     __________________________________________________________________________     None          0    18   2.72   78.44                                                                                -128.72                                                                                723        740                    None          1    18   1.68  507.51                                                                                -844.57                                                                               1039       1068                    None          2    18   1.4   741.96                                                                               -1046.07                                                                               1611       1677                    None          4    18   0.6   1024.55                                                                               -647.00                                                                               2836       2966                    None          6    18   0.5   794.33                                                                                -417.14                                                                               3824       3924                    0.1% "REAX" 100M                                                                             0    18   3.78  113.04                                                                                -470.89                                                                                867        869                    0.1% "REAX" 100M                                                                             1    18   1.93  574.26                                                                               -1109.86                                                                               1153       1163                    0.1% "REAX" 100M                                                                             2    18   1.48  877.10                                                                               -1311.57                                                                               1707       1778                    0.1% "REAX" 100M                                                                             4    18   0.65  1316.57                                                                               -931.80                                                                               2941       3083                    0.1% "REAX" 100M.sup.1)                                                                      6    18   .sup.3) 60:1  0.52                                                                   976.74                                                                                -519.82                                                                               3498       3548                    0,2% "REAX" 100M                                                                             0      22.5                                                                              6.15  130.57                                                                                -768.22                                                                                996       1060                    0.33% "REAX" 100M                                                                            0    18   14.63 135.26                                                                               -1971.55                                                                                795        568                    0.33% "REAX" 100M                                                                            1    18   2.97  527.32                                                                               -1561.04                                                                               1278       1294                    0.33% "REAX" 100M                                                                            2    18   2.12  732.72                                                                               -1558.23                                                                               1655       1714                    0.33% "REAX" 100M                                                                            4    18   .sup.3) 12.1  0.75                                                                   1652.63                                                                              -1304.50                                                                               3032       3113                    0.33% "REAX" 100M                                                                            6    18   .sup.3) 18.2  0.6                                                                    1455.75                                                                               -768.60                                                                               3504       3554                    0.1% "SEQLENE 540"                                                                           0    66   34.2  78.68 -1674.31                                                                                939       1365                    0.1% "SEQLENE 540"                                                                           1    66   5.78  434.89                                                                               -2502.49                                                                               1248       1644                    0.1% "SEQLENE 540"                                                                           2    66   3.62  862.37                                                                               -3138.26                                                                               1849       2482                    0.1% "SEQLENE 540"                                                                           4    66   1.4   1680.75                                                                              -2407.00                                                                               3166       3990                    0.1% "SEQLENE 540".sup.2)                                                                    6    68   .sup.3) 60:1  0.77                                                                   1708.88                                                                              -1369.30                                                                               3670       4522                    0.1% Sodium Gluconate                                                                        0    90   57.72  55.19                                                                               -3173.07                                                                                808       1478                    0.1% Sodium Gluconate                                                                        1    90   6.88  460.20                                                                               -3172.23                                                                               1435       2008                    0.1% Sodium Gluconate                                                                        2    90   3.77  792.32                                                                               -3018.93                                                                               1873       2655                    0.1% Sodium Gluconate                                                                        4    90   1.95  1239.75                                                                              -2429.60                                                                               2993       3936                    0.1% Sodium Gluconate                                                                        6    90   .sup.3) 60:1  1.23                                                                   1618.88                                                                              -2000.70                                                                               3607       4565                    0.33% Sodium Gluconate                                                                       0    43   --    --    --      --         --                      0.33% Sodium Gluconate                                                                       1    43   24.5  147.93                                                                               -3633.58                                                                               2540       2805                    0.33% Sodium Gluconate                                                                       2    43   17.23 197.88                                                                               -3398.37                                                                               2919       3483                    0.33% Sodium Gluconate                                                                       4    43   .sup.3) 12.1  8.9                                                                    344.25                                                                               -3079.35                                                                               3858       4547                    0.33% Sodium Gluconate                                                                       6    43   .sup.3) 18.2  6.05                                                                   633.48                                                                               -3844.71                                                                               4050       4710                    0.33% Sodium Gluconate                                                                       8    43   .sup.3) 24.2  3.73                                                                   1468.02                                                                              -5457.53                                                                               3412       4148                    __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1) "REAX" is sulfonated Kraft lignin                                      .sup.2) "SEQLENE 540" is sodium glucohepatonate                                .sup.3) Activator:Retarder ratio                                         

FIG. 8 shows sodium oxalate as giving similar benefits as sodium citrate.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show comparison of the combination of citrate with phosphate and citrate, phosphate and sodium hydroxide. (Sodium hydroxide can reduce set time.)

Other activators were tried and the effect of component ratios is clearly distinguishable in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Tables 9 through 12 show that ratio for set time, early compressive strength development rate and final strength varies with retarder strength, temperature and activator strength.

                                      TABLE 10                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Base Slurry: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag +                                     0.1% Sodium Gluconate (bwos*) + 50% Distilled Water (bwos)                     Test Temperature: 125° F.                                               __________________________________________________________________________           No   0.10%                                                                               0.20%                                                                               0.40%                                                                               0.80%                                                                               1%   1.20%                                                                               1.40%                                                                               1.60%                                                                               1.80%                             Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                   __________________________________________________________________________     Time to              33.93                                                                               18.1 16   12   11.55                                                                               9.72 737                         50 psi                                                                         Time to              43.97                                                                                20.63                                                                              17.9 13.55                                                                               12.93                                                                               10.9 8.43                        500 psi                                                                        Time from            10.04                                                                                2.53                                                                               1.9  1.55  1.38                                                                               1.18 1.06                        50 psi to                                                                      500 psi                                                                        Activator:           4:1  8:1  10:1 12:1 14:1 16:1 18:1                        Retarder                                                                       Ratio                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________           2%   2.20%                                                                               2.40%                                                                               2.60%                                                                               2.80%                                                                               3%   4%   5%   6%   7%                                Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                   __________________________________________________________________________     Time to                                                                              6.08 5.38 5.27 5.2  5.17 4.43 3.1  0.93 1.78 1.15                        50 psi                                                                         Time to                                                                              6.82 6.03 5.97 5.87 5.8  5    3.58 1.28 2.1  1.4                         500 psi                                                                        Time from                                                                            0.74 0.65 0.7  0.67 0.63 0.57 0.48 0.35 0.32 0.25                        50 psi to                                                                      500 psi                                                                        Activator:                                                                           20:1 22:1 24:1 26:1 28:1 30:1 40:1 50:1 60:1 70:1                        Retarder                                                                       Ratio                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________      *bwos = by weight of slag                                                

                                      TABLE 11                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Base Slurry: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag + 0.1% Sodium Gluconate + 50%         Distilled Water (bwos)                                                         Test Temperature: 150° F.                                               __________________________________________________________________________           No   0.10%                                                                               0.20%                                                                               0.40%                                                                               0.80%                                                                               1%   1.20%                                                                               1.40%                                                                               1.60%                                                                               1.80%                             Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                   __________________________________________________________________________     Time to                                                                              43.15                                                                               22.52                                                                               15.7 9.68 4.98 4.53 4.2  4    2.95 2.27                        50 psi                                                                         Time to                                                                              53.37                                                                               28.9  20.35                                                                              12.62                                                                               6    5.58 5.28 4.83 3.57 2.63                        500 psi                                                                        Time from                                                                            10.22                                                                                6.38                                                                                4.65                                                                               2.94 1.02 1.05 1.08 0.83 0.62 0.36                        50 psi to                                                                      500 psi                                                                        Activator:                                                                           0    1:1  2:1  4:1  8:1  10:1 12:1 14:1 16:1 18:1                        Retarder                                                                       Ratio                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________           2%   2.20%                                                                               2.40%                                                                               2.60%                                                                               2.80%                                                                               3%   4%   5%   6%   7%                                Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                   __________________________________________________________________________     Time to                                                                              2.23 2    2.1  1.82 1.43 1.5  1.2  1.02 1    0.97                        50 psi                                                                         Time to                                                                              2.68 2.38 2.45 2.2  1.62 1.75 1.45 1.15 1.15 1.12                        500 psi                                                                        Time from                                                                            0.45 0.38 0.35 0.38 0.19 0.25 0.25 0.13 0.15 0.15                        50 psi to                                                                      500 psi                                                                        Activator:                                                                           20:1 22:1 24:1 26:1 28:1 30:1 40:1 50:1 60:1 70:1                        Retarder                                                                       Ratio                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________      *bwos = by weight of slag                                                

                                      TABLE 12                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Base Slurry: "NEWCEM" Blast Furnace Slag + 0.1% Sodium Gluconate + 50%         Distilled Water (bwos)                                                         Test Temperature: 175° F.                                               __________________________________________________________________________           No   0.10%                                                                               0.20%                                                                               0.40%                                                                               0.80%                                                                               1%   1.20%                                                                               1.40%                                                                               1.60%                                                                               1.80%                             Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                   __________________________________________________________________________     Time to                                                                              17.95                                                                               10.3 7.37 4.17 2.58 2.1  1.87 1.38 1.48 1.4                         50 psi                                                                         Time to                                                                              22.27                                                                               15.12                                                                               9.57 5.68 3.45 2.72 2.38 1.68 1.78 1.73                        500 psi                                                                        Time from                                                                             4.32                                                                                4.82                                                                               2.2  1.51 0.87 0.62 0.51 0.3  0.3  0.33                        50 psi to                                                                      500 psi                                                                        Activator:                                                                           0    1:1  2:1  4:1  8:1  10:1 12:1 14:1 16:1 18:1                        Retarder                                                                       Ratio                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________           2%   2.20%                                                                               2.40%                                                                               2.60%                                                                               2.80%                                                                               3%   4%   5%   6%   7%                                Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                                                                           Activator                   __________________________________________________________________________     Time to                                                                              1.05 1.17 1.03 1.15 1.22 0.73 0.6  0.62 0.62 0.72                        50 psi                                                                         Time to                                                                              1.22 1.37 1.27 1.33 1.4  0.83 0.73 0.75 0.7  0.83                        500 psi                                                                        Time from                                                                            0.17 0.2  0.24 0.18 0.18 0.1  0.13 0.13 0.08 0.11                        50 psi to                                                                      500 psi                                                                        Activator:                                                                           20:1 22:1 24:1 26:1 28:1 30:1 40:1 50:1 60:1 70:1                        Retarder                                                                       Ratio                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________      *bwos = by weight of slag                                                 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for cementing a well, comprising:combining constituents comprising water, blast furnace slag having a particle size within the range of 2,000 to 15,000 cm² /g, and an activator comprising sodium tripolyphosphate to form a cement slurry; displacing the cement slurry into the well; and allowing the cement slurry to set.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the activator includes an oxalate ion-containing compound.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the activator includes a citrate ion-containing compound.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the citrate ion-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate, calcium citrate and potassium citrate.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of activator to slag is adjusted to achieve optimum compressive strength of the cement.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the weight ratio of activator to slag is further adjusted in accordance with well temperature to achieve optimum compressive strength of the cement.
 7. The method of claim 3 wherein the ratio of activator components is adjusted to provide at least one of the following: (a) optimum set time of the cement slurry, (b) optimum compressive strength of the cement, (c) optimum early compressive strength development rate of the cement slurry, and (d) optimum rheological properties for the cement slurry.
 8. The method of claim 3 wherein the weight ratio of activator to slag is adjusted to achieve optimum compressive strength of the cement.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the weight ratio of activator to slag is further adjusted in accordance with well temperature to achieve optimum compressive strength of the cement.
 10. The method of claim 5 wherein the activator includes multiple components and wherein the ratio of activator components is adjusted to provide at least one of the following: (a) optimum set time of the cement slurry, (b) optimum compressive strength of the cement, (c) optimum early compressive strength development rate of the cement slurry, and (d) optimum rheological properties for the cement slurry.
 11. The method of claim 6 the activator includes multiple components and wherein the ratio of activator components is adjusted to provide at least one of the following: (a) optimum set time of the cement slurry, (b) optimum compressive strength of the cement, (c) optimum early compressive strength development rate of the cement slurry, and (d) optimum rheological properties for the cement slurry.
 12. The method of claim 1 including adding a retarder to provide adequate fluidity time of the cement slurry in order to place the cement in the well.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the retarder is a salt of a transition metal with an atomic number above iron in the periodic chart.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the retarder is a copper, zinc or aluminum salt.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the retarder is a complexing agent.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the retarder is a lignosulfonate, sulfonated lignin, or lignin amine.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the retarder is sodium glucoheptonate, sodium gluconate or sodium citrate.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein a ratio of weight of activator to weight of retarder is selected to provide the greatest early compressive strength development and the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the activator/retarder weight ratio is selected at the static temperature of the well to provide substantially the greatest early compressive strength development and substantially the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about ten hours.
 21. The method of claim 18 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about eight hours.
 22. The method of claim 18 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of between three and six hours.
 23. The method of claim 3 including adding a retarder to provide adequate fluidity time of the cement slurry in order to place the cement in the well.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the retarder is a salt of a transition metal with an atomic number above iron in the periodic chart.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the retarder is a copper, zinc or aluminum salt.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein the retarder is a complexing agent.
 27. The method of claim 26 wherein the retarder is a lignosulfonate, sulfonated lignin, or lignin amine.
 28. The method of claim 26 wherein the retarder is sodium glucoheptonate, sodium gluconate or sodium citrate.
 29. The method of claim 23 wherein a ratio of weight of activator to weight of retarder is selected to provide the greatest early compressive strength development and the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 30. The method of claim 29 wherein the activator/retarder weight ratio is selected at the static temperature of the well to provide substantially the greatest early compressive strength development and substantially the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 31. The method of claim 29 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about ten hours.
 32. The method of claim 29 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about eight hours.
 33. The method of claim 29 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of between three and six hours.
 34. The method of claim 1 including adding a drilling fluid to the cement slurry.
 35. The method of claim 5 including adding a retarder to provide adequate fluidity time of the cement slurry in order to place the cement in the well.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein the retarder is a salt of a transition metal with an atomic number above iron in the periodic chart.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the retarder is a copper, zinc or aluminum salt.
 38. The method of claim 35 wherein the retarder is a complexing agent.
 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the retarder is a lignosulfonate, sulfonated lignin, or lignin amine.
 40. The method of claim 38 wherein the retarder is sodium glucoheptonate, sodium gluconate or sodium citrate.
 41. The method of claim 35 wherein a ratio of weight of activator to weight of retarder is selected to provide the greatest early compressive strength development and the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 42. The method of claim 41 wherein the activator/retarder weight ratio is selected at the static temperature of the well to provide substantially the greatest early compressive strength development and substantially the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 43. The method of claim 41 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about ten hours.
 44. The method of claim 41 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about eight hours.
 45. The method of claim 41 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of between three and six hours.
 46. The method of claim 41 including adding a drilling fluid to the slurry.
 47. The method of claim 7 including adding a retarder to provide adequate fluidity time of the cement slurry in order to place the cement in the well.
 48. The method of claim 47 wherein the retarder is a salt of a transition metal with an atomic number above iron in the periodic chart.
 49. The method of claim 48 wherein the retarder is a copper, zinc or aluminum salt.
 50. The method of claim 47 wherein the retarder is a complexing agent.
 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the retarder is a lignosulfonate, sulfonated lignin, or lignin amine.
 52. The method of claim 51 wherein the retarder is sodium glucoheptonate, sodium gluconate or sodium citrate.
 53. The method of claim 47 wherein a ratio of weight of activator to weight of retarder is selected to provide the greatest early compressive strength development and the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 54. The method of claim 53 wherein the activator/retarder weight ratio is selected at the static temperature of the well to provide substantially the greatest early compressive strength development and substantially the greatest final strength for a given slag concentration.
 55. The method of claim 53 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about ten hours.
 56. The method of claim 53 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of less than about eight hours.
 57. The method of claim 53 wherein the activator/retarder ratio is selected for a set time of between three and six hours.
 58. The method of claim 53 including adding a drilling fluid to the slurry.
 59. The method of claim 1 including selecting an activator which also functions as a good dispersing agent, whereby dispersion will favor better compressive strength development after setting of the cement slurry.
 60. The method of claim 1 including adding a sulfide scavenging compound to the cement slurry, said scavenging compound being selected from the group consisting of zinc oxide and zinc carbonate. 